Mujitsu and Tairaku's Shakuhachi BBQ

This is a fine, fine album.

Inasmuch as it is Masa's CD, it is also a collaborative ensemble effort, with different players featured center-stage
in different pieces.

The production values and fidelity are superb, and even though the album has seven named tracks, the music is all
of a piece--to me, at least--a journey.

To have it described in words would be quite counter-intuitive, I think. All the clichés one might expect on a shakuhachi
album: background ambience of trickling water, chimes and the occasional gong, birds and spring peepers sprinkled here and there and, of all things, an accordian, playing themes that sound very Italian.

But it all fits, and beautifully, with a precise and light touch: splendid and sometimes surprising percussion, a perfect flow from track to track; it would make an excellent soundtrack--a specialty of these players, and it shows.

Masa's use of the big flute is remarkable, and not to be described, just experienced.

I highly recommend this album. It is a fitting tribute to Masa Yoshizawa.


Instrumentation featured:

   Accordian
   Bass Koto
   Tsuzumi & Narimono
   Biwa and Chinese Koto
   Udu Drum and various percussion
   Piano
   Violin
   Shakuhachi, Shinobue, Nohkan and 'Shakugen' (3.75 shakuhachi)

In spite of all the instruments listed, there is a lot of 'room' in the arrangements.

Tracklist:

   1. A Dragonet and The Seine
   2. The Floating Mums
   3. Mystic Depth
   4. Solemn Forest
   5. Kute...The Marsh
   6. A Flock of Clouds
   7. Mere Caprice en El Tajo

Written by Masa Yoshizawa and Osama Kitajima

Last edited by edosan (2008-09-27 17:25:09)